Eid Al Etihad marks UAE’s final public holiday of 2026 – here’s how to make the most of your time off.
Dubai: The UAE’s last public holiday of 2026, National Day, also known as Eid Al Etihad, offers residents a final opportunity to enjoy an extended break before the year ends.
With a little advance planning, employees could combine the two-day public holiday with their annual leave and weekends to enjoy up to nine consecutive days off work.
Depending on how much annual leave they have remaining, residents can choose between a five-day, six-day or nine-day break.
Here’s how to make the most of the UAE’s final public holiday of the year.
When is the UAE National Day holiday in 2026?
The UAE officially observes National Day on December 2 and 3, with both public and private sector employees entitled to the two-day holiday.
In 2026, December 2 falls on a Wednesday, while December 3 falls on a Thursday.
However, the holiday dates could potentially be adjusted to create a longer weekend.
Under Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024, the UAE Cabinet has the authority to move certain public holidays to the beginning or end of the working week through an official decision. This provision does not apply to Eid holidays.
If the National Day break is shifted to either end of the week, residents could enjoy a four-day holiday when combined with the weekend.
Until an official announcement is made, employees planning their annual leave can consider the following options based on the December 2 and 3 holiday dates.
Option 1: Use one day of annual leave for five days off
If the public holidays remain on Wednesday and Thursday, employees can extend their break by taking Friday, December 4, as annual leave.
This would create a five-day holiday from Wednesday, December 2, to Sunday, December 6.
The break would include two public holidays, one annual leave day and the Saturday-Sunday weekend.
This option is particularly useful for employees with limited annual leave remaining who still want to enjoy a longer year-end break.
Option 2: Use two days of annual leave for six days off
Employees who can spare two annual leave days could schedule them immediately before the National Day holidays.
By taking November 30 and December 1 off, they can combine their leave with the preceding weekend and the two public holidays.
This would give them six consecutive days off, from Saturday, November 28, to Thursday, December 3.
Employees following a standard Monday-to-Friday workweek would return to work on Friday, December 4.
Option 3: Use three days of annual leave for nine days off
For employees looking to maximise their time off, using three annual leave days could turn the National Day holiday into a nine-day break.
Taking November 30, December 1 and December 4 as annual leave would connect both weekends with the two official public holidays.
The result would be nine consecutive days off, from Saturday, November 28, to Sunday, December 6.
Employees would return to work on Monday, December 7, assuming they follow a Monday-to-Friday schedule.
This arrangement could be ideal for residents planning an overseas trip, a family holiday or an extended staycation.
Check your company’s leave policy before making plans
Before booking flights or making holiday arrangements, employees should review their company’s annual leave policies.
Annual leave approval may depend on staffing requirements, operational needs and internal company procedures.
Employees are advised to submit their requests early through their employer’s official leave management system.
The suggested leave combinations also assume a Saturday-Sunday weekend and that the National Day public holidays remain on December 2 and 3.
Residents should watch for official announcements confirming the final holiday arrangements before finalising their plans.
Under the UAE Labour Law, private-sector employees are entitled to annual leave, with official public holidays granted as separate paid days off.
Note: The dates and leave arrangements mentioned above are based on the current calendar and remain subject to official confirmation. The final National Day holiday schedule for public and private sector employees will be announced by the relevant UAE government authorities.
